Fun Monday

Tiggerlane, this week's gracious hostess for Fun Monday, has posed an interesting topic. She wants us to make a "bucket list", which is an itemization of at least five things you want to do before you die. I could reel off one of these lists easily, by just naming places I want to see before I die. That list is ridiculously long. I love travel, which is weird because I don't like change and I find comfort in my routines, but I love exploring new places.

But it seems like cheating to just go for the easy list. So my challenge to myself is to come up with a list that has no travel items.

1. Attempt stand-up comedy.

I can't really explain this one. Des Bishop had a show where he went into disadvantaged communities in Ireland, selected a few participants, and taught them how to do stand-up. Then, at the end of the training period, they had a show. Something about it appealed to me, even though I'm shy, don't like talking in front of people, and am not particularly funny.

2. Perfect the art of baking bread.

I love baking and I like to think I can bake just about anything, especially now that I have a trusted Kitchen Aid. But bread often eludes me. Yeast is a living thing and I haven't quite figured out how to use it properly. To ensure my bread rises, I've taken to doubling the yeast, which does pretty much guarantee a nice puffy dough, but it also results in a very yeasty tasting bread.

3. Grow a ginormous pumpkin.

Given where I've chosen to live, this might be a tough one to fulfill. I don't know that it ever really gets hot enough here to create one of those giant, 200+ pound pumpkins. But I'd like to try.

4. Qualify for and run the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is the Holy Grail for serious non-elite runners. Pretty much anyone who's run more than one marathon harbours a desire to qualify for Boston. The qualifying times are tough targets. My personal best is 5.47. I'm going to need to get a bit faster, and then hope I'm still running at 80 to qualify.

5. Send a postcard to Post Secret.

Post Secret is one of the best things on the Internet. I love the creativity and emotions that are collected there every week and would really like to participate. I've been carrying a few secrets around in my head, so it's just a matter of sitting down and doing it.

6. Participate in some crazy, big-time endurance race.

I'm obsessed with the idea of pushing myself to the edge of my limits. Endurances races fascinate me and I like the idea of doing something outrageous and difficult.

7. Go camping alone. Well, alone with a dog or two.

Given the fact that I'm a big baby and afraid of lots of things (though mostly afraid of baddies), this is probably the most difficult item on my list. But I like the idea of pushing past my limits and I also crave solitude. The idea of camping alone, ideally somewhere extremely remote and isolated, is quite appealing, even though it scares the pants off me as well.

So, that's my list. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all the other Fun Monday participants.